Target Curriculum: History, Geography, Social Studies, and Science
Target Grades: Middle and High School
SOLs: HSS World Geography 10.15
Time: One, 50-60 minute class
Objective:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical characteristics of the Dead Sea region and its connection to the Red Sea and the African Great Rift Valley.
Purpose:
To give students the opportunity to understand the role of plate tectonics and associated earthquakes in the formation of the Syrian-African Rift Valleys and demonstrate understanding by constructing a map and chart.
Materials:
Atlases, wall maps, and textbooks
Procedure:
Using atlases, wall maps, and textbooks, students will locate the following on a blank outline map of the Middle East and North Africa:
- Sea of Galilee (also called Lake Tiberias and Lake Kinneret)
- Red Sea
- Dead Sea
- Jordan River (flowing into and out of the Sea of Galilee)
- East African Great Rift Valley
Using an overhead projector and an overlay of the region's tectonic plates, explain the significance of plate movements in creating the Syrian-African Rift that extends from Turkey to Mozambique. Answer students questions related to the Rift.
Assign students to chart the characteristics of the Dead Sea to discover its chemical composition, based on drainage and evaporation rate, and to determine its current economic significance to Israel.
Distribute copies of chart to be completed, showing the following information for the Dead Sea:
- Location
- Size
- Chemical composition
- Rate of evaporation
- Specific salt content
- Political significance
- Israeli and Jordanian political boundary
- Economic significance
- Medicinal significance
- Historic importance of the surrounding area
Extension:
- Have students research the Dead Sea region by conducting an Internet quest. A good starting point is http://israeliculture.miningco.com.
- Research and report on the project to link the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean.
- Survey local drug stores and/or cosmetic counters for products from the Dead Sea.
- Compare and contrast the formation and composition of the Dead Sea and the Great Salt Lake in the United States.
Class Discussion Questions:
Given their location by hemisphere, how many countries can you name?
Cautions and Concerns:
I found that my second grade students also enjoy locating countries by hemisphere. Inflatable globes work nicely for this, as we were able to toss them around the room while playing a geography game.
Written By:
Sue Robertson, robertss4@hotmail.com
Grades 9 and 10 World History
Mills E. Godwin High School
Henrico County Schools
Lynda K. Dunnigan, pbdlkd@erols.com
Global Humanities
Lafayette High School
Williamsburg-James City County Schools